Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

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  2007 Tahoe - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By 07 Tahoe Owner - November 3 - 3:36 pm

  The best thing about this vehicle is when you are finished accelerating it shifts from a V-8 to a 4 cylinder without you knowing it except at the gas pump. Im getting 24 mpg on the highway. It looks like an Escalade. The only thing that I dislike is the way the exhaust pipe looks. Other than that, I love my Tahoe.

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  Go Avy - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By AVVY - November 3 - 3:28 pm

  The Avy is a great vehicle! My only complaint is the fuel cost, but that is because I bought it before gas went through the roof. The ride is great and smooth, and there are a ton of features I love. I use it as a pickup often, and always get what I need done. I recommend this truck to anyone that likes a bit of luxury with the versitility of a pickup truck

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  Nice SUV - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Graten - November 3 - 12:26 pm

  Ive had my TB for 10 months and Ive driven it in city, highway, and on 4WD trails. Ive also slept in it for a couple of nights while elk hunting. This is a good all around vehicle especially for the money. It is big enough to be fairly comfortable sleeping in the back with the seats down when you need it. The only down side is that HWY mileage at interstate speeds (75MPH) is only around 17 1/2 to 18 MPG (rated at 21 mpg) although I do have a slightly higher rear end gear so others may do better. Driving in town yields around 13-14 mpg.

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  What a car! - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By billjo4 - November 3 - 12:16 pm

  This is one great automobile. Fit and finish is superb inside and out. The powertrain is very quiet and responsive. The interior is quiet, no squeaks or rattles. This is a "tall" car, you sit deep into the seats and it gives you a real sense of security and confidence, not to mention it corners like a cat. I am so impressed with this car, several friends have bought one on my suggestion and a test drive. A "best buy" in its class!

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  Love this car - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By John Walters - November 2 - 6:46 pm

  I thoroughly enjoy my MC SS. Its maroon red and drives like a dream. The gas mileage is right around 30 mpg. Its comfortable and stylish.

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  Remarkable car - 1993 Chevrolet Corvette
  By kat from Cali. - November 2 - 5:39 am

  This is a solid well made vehicle. Its quality of craftmanship is apparent within a few days of driving. Its low profile makes for a unique driving experience. Highway driving is effortless. MPG is much better than anticipated, city driving as well as highway. No mechanical problems have occured. Ive never had a more dependable car in my 30 years of driving.

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  Think twice - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By lil mah - November 2 - 4:16 am

  At first the car was cool, however the problems began within 2 months. Its too small. The interior plastic paint chips. Factory (Perelli) tires are awfull in the winter. Rear light panel shorted out completely after two times in the shop to replace all back lights. The front end pulls to the left. Had the right passenger side axle and cv joint and boot replaced and it still still pulls to the left. The rental cars are better than my car. The wind blows you across the freeway. Theres no leg room for your passengers, you feel like clowns. Tends to guzzle gas for a small car. It needs bigger rear windows (too much of a blind side) The suspension stinks. A poorly made car.

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  Nice Little UV Wagon - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Boston Guy - November 1 - 3:10 pm

  So far so good after two weeks of new-car ownership. I traded an 04 Chevy Astro Van with AWD for my HHR 2LT with the 2.4L 172HP Ecotec engine. Gas mileage is not as high as I was expecting, so I am trying to modify my driving habits a bit and see if that makes a difference. Right now I average about 24mpg between in-town and highway miles. The larger engine gives adequate pick-up at on-ramps onto the highways, and I have found myself going 85mph without trying! Quiet and very smooth ride for a small car.

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  I love my SS - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By jvwallace - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I only have 7000 miles on the car but I love it. It rides so nice and has a lot of power. It is a very comfortable car.

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  Very blah car - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By gambit - November 1 - 10:00 am

  With a Cavalier, you get small size, Chevy styling, GM quality, and Buick handling. In other words, the worst of all worlds. To be honest, the Cav is not an awful car, just not a very good car in a sea of good competition. The stylings bland; if blending in is your goal, it may be for you. It was a mistake for Chevy to use a bowtie- bar in the styling; it doesnt fit well and looks awkward. The interior creaks and feels cheap. The engine is good, but the suspension is too loose. When turned, the car sways the other way. According to the figures, the Cav is GMs biggest seller. But those figures probably include rental and fleet sales.